African American Legacy

Advancing philanthropy and empowerment in the African American community since 2003.

Donate to this Fund

  • $4.5+ Million

    Dollars Granted

  • 250

    Grant Recipients

  • 600+

    Active Donors

  • 500+

    Organizations Impacted

Open Call 2024:
Request for Proposals

African American Legacy (AAL) is accepting applications for its 2024 grant cycle beginning on Friday, April 5, 2024.

This is an open call RFP opportunity. Organizations based in the city of Chicago, Cook County, and the five collar counties (Will, Lake, DuPage, McHenry, and Kane) that are Black-led and Black-serving with a focus on Community & Civic Engagement, Mental Health, Wealth Creation, Arts & Sciences Education, or Environmental Justice are invited to apply. See below for details.

Deadline to apply is Monday, May 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Download the Full RFP

A virtual informational session was held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. CT. The session was recorded and can be viewed at the link below.

View the Recording

AAL is also offering Peer Clinics with AAL grants consultant Consuella Brown. These clinics will be an hour long and will take place online. You can register for these sessions by clicking the links in the text below.

AAL’s 20th Anniversary:
Reaching Back, Giving Forward

African American Legacy, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary honoring the vision and legacy of AAL’s founding members and supporters, two decades of impact, and hope for AAL’s future. Learn more.

Grantmaking in Chicago

Since its founding in 2003 as an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, African American Legacy (AAL) has granted nearly $4 million to numerous nonprofit organizations with innovative ideas for impact. AAL provides support to nonprofit organizations that work at the grassroots level to educate and engage communities, and to provide neighborhood-based services and solutions addressing community problems.

2023 Grant Recipients

Advisory Board Members

Kimberly A. Casey, ChairKafi Moragne-Patterson
Natashia Holmes, Vice ChairClaude Robinson
Inger Burnett-ZieglerNicole Robinson
Janice EvansMironda Ross
Glenn EdenSteven Shaw
Tyrone FormanAlex Sims
Denitra GriffinShawn Smith-Robinson
Sequane LawrenceSarah Ware
Jawanza Malone
Professionals with a wide range of experience across numerous industries comprise the Advisory Board. Board members actively participate in community engagement, donor cultivation, and grant making activities.

Life Directors

Brenda AsareMarguerite Griffin
Daniel AshSuzanne Griffith
Claudette BakerDeborah Harrington
Andreason BrownLoann Honesty King
Julian ColemanDiane Latiker
Carol CrenshawRobert McGhee
Amina DickersonMary Patillo
Rebecca Ford-TerryShawnelle Richie 
Denise GardnerBaronica Roberson
Corliss GarnerMelody Spann-Cooper
Graham Grady
Life Directors are individuals who have rendered exemplary service in advancing the goals of African American Legacy, with special consideration given to former Advisory Board members.

Questions?

  • Give to AAL

    African American Legacy activates an engaged network of community leaders who share the common goal of improving the quality of life of African Americans in Chicago through the power of collective giving, community engagement, and grant making.

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